His right fist swept across the ore, leaving a scratch on its surface.
It worked!
Seeing the faint mark, Scribe was overjoyed.
He even subconsciously ignored his bleeding right hand.
That was right. What Scribe was doing was turning his own body into a blade!
Although it was far less sharp than a real Nichirin Blade, it could still damage the Crimson Crystal Ore!
Not only that, it could also train Sun Breathing and deepen his understanding of Breathing Techniques.
A notification that his Breathing Technique points had increased by fifty flashed through his mind, and Scribe grinned.
Mining came with an extra reward. Killing two birds with one stone—what a delight.
Without resting any longer, Scribe continued attacking the Crimson Crystal Ore.
From bottom to top, an upward slash—Sun Breathing: Second Form, Azure Sky.
After flipping through the air, he descended from above—Sun Breathing: Fifth Form, Fire Train.
His hands turned into spikes as he fiercely unleashed Sun Breathing: Seventh Form, Radiant Flower Thrust.
Scribe did not know how many times he had used Sun Breathing, nor did he care about such things.
The only thing he cared about was when he could shatter the Crimson Crystal Ore and obtain Tamahagane.
When he was hungry, he ate burnt food. When he was tired, he dropped straight to sleep.
As long as Scribe still had energy and strength, he would not stop.
Who knew how long passed before this prolonged battle finally neared its end.
Ignoring the wounds that had only just scabbed over, Scribe swung both hands again.
Crack, crack.
As cracks spread across the surface, chunks of debris fell away.
Finally, he had succeeded.
Looking at the basketball-sized Tamahagane before him, the heavy weight in Scribe's heart was finally lifted.
Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the highest-quality Tamahagane (which can be refined into Scarlet Scarlet Sand Iron and Crimson Sulfur Stone). Hidden mission complete. The hidden mission reward has been issued. Please check it. Affected by the Host's own abilities, Master Swordsmanship (500,000/1,000,000) has increased to 700,000/1,000,000. Affected by the Host's own abilities, Master Breathing Technique (400,000/1,000,000) has increased to 700,000/1,000,000. All other skills have increased overall. Current level: Expert (50,000/100,000). A new mission has been issued. Please check it. Mission: Travel to Swordsmith Village, refine the Tamahagane into Scarlet Scarlet Sand Iron and Crimson Sulfur Stone, and forge your own Nichirin Blade.
After processing the information in his mind, Scribe clenched his hands tightly.
So, the time had finally come.
Ever since he had crossed into this world, he had been waiting for this moment.
And now, he was finally going to forge a Nichirin Blade of his own!
Cradling the Tamahagane in one arm, Scribe was about to head down the mountain when he suddenly realized a serious problem.
His clothes had long since been burned away by the high temperatures atop the mountain. He was completely naked now.
If he returned to the smelting village like this, would they arrest him as a pervert?
First Meeting with Tsugikuni Iwashiro
"Why are you dressed so strangely?"
Looking at Scribe, whose face was covered in soot and whose clothes were made from leaves, Matie was thoroughly confused.
"You look like you were robbed."
"Not at all. I ended up like this because I climbed Sunlight Mountain Peak."
Placing the Tamahagane in his hands onto a specially made rack, Scribe spoke to Matie.
"This is the highest-quality Tamahagane I obtained."
That simple sentence instantly drew Matie's attention.
Even Kogang, who was adding firewood to the furnace, craned his head over.
"Really? Let me see!"
The master and apprentice surrounded the Tamahagane like fanatical admirers.
"So this is the highest-quality Tamahagane. It really does give off a strange feeling."
"Yes, Master. I can even feel a stream of air swirling around in my lower abdomen!"
"Uh, that sounds like you upset your stomach."
"How could that be? My body has always been in perfect condi—"
Pinching his nose, Matie kicked Kogang squarely in the backside.
"Get lost!"
Shaking his head with a smile, Scribe decided to wash himself first.
After staying at Matie's house for a night and packing his things, Scribe left the next morning.
Although Matie and Kogang wanted to examine the highest-quality Tamahagane a little longer, Scribe had already made up his mind. There was no way the two of them could stop him.
"This is far enough. Farewell, you two!"
Waving his hand, Scribe bid farewell to Matie and Kogang, who had come to see him off.
I can finally get some proper rest.
As he walked back, the only difference was the several pieces of Tamahagane in his pack.
Work hard when it was time to work, and relax when it was time to relax. Scribe had always valued a balance between work and rest.
After several days, he finally returned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
The moment he entered, he sensed that something was off about the atmosphere.
The Demon Slayer Corps had always valued silence and secrecy, but now people were moving about everywhere.
Everyone wore smiles, as though they were celebrating some good news.
Stopping a child around his own age at random, Scribe asked him about it.
"Did something good happen? Why is it suddenly so lively?"
"You don't know? Tomorrow is Master and Lord Tōshirō's birthday."
"Birthday?"
"That's right. Tomorrow is Master's twenty-second birthday, and Lord Tōshirō also plans to celebrate his birthday early."
After saying that, the child hurried away.
I see.
Two important figures in the Demon Slayer Corps were celebrating their birthdays. No wonder it was so lively.
Although Ubuyashiki Kagaya and Rengoku Kyojuro would not make a big fuss over it, they still could not stop the enthusiasm of the Demon Slayer Corps Members.
In that case, he might as well go offer his congratulations too.
Scribe planned to return to his residence first, rest and recover his energy, then visit Tōshirō and Ubuyashiki Kagaya tomorrow.
Upon returning to his familiar residence, Scribe was surprised to find that the house was not locked.
Could Master be back?
Filled with delight, Scribe intended to share what he had seen and experienced on Sunlight Mountain with Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
However, the instant he stepped through the door, he immediately sensed that something was wrong.
The person sitting inside was not Tsugikuni Yoriichi!
Although the person inside gave off a feeling similar to Yoriichi, Scribe sensed the hidden obsession, jealousy, and trace of madness within him.
Taking a wooden sword and gripping it in his hand, Scribe slowly pushed open the door.
From behind, the man's build was somewhat larger than Yoriichi's, and his shoulders were broader as well.
He wore a purple samurai outfit, with a high black ponytail tied behind his head.
Without asking the man's identity, Scribe directly slashed at his shoulder.
Rather than ask questions that might yield nothing, he preferred to defeat his enemy and make him speak for himself.
Just as Scribe's blade was about to strike, the seated man moved.
Slapping a palm against the floor, the man's tall body shifted several feet to the left.
The certain strike missed, and the sensation of misdirected force slowed Scribe's reaction for a second.
In that single second, the man spun around and kicked Scribe in the wrist.
Enduring the pain, Scribe retreated several steps with his sword in hand.
Because the man had turned around, Scribe finally saw his face clearly.
His features were extremely similar to Yoriichi's, though there were subtle differences.
There was a dark crimson flame-like Demon Slayer Mark on his left forehead, and another running from his lower right jaw to his neck.
His gaze was incomparably sharp, yet a deeply buried gloom lingered in its depths.
Pointing the tip of his blade at the man, Scribe frowned tightly.
After seeing the man's appearance, Scribe naturally recognized his identity.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's biological elder brother, the future Upper Rank One, Kokushibo.
Tsugikuni Iwashiro!
After realizing that Scribe was the one who had attacked him, the man suddenly stopped, as though considering something.
"You are Yoriichi's disciple, Scribe?"
Scribe did not answer, merely nodding slightly.
He had not expected that during the time he had spent on Sunlight Mountain, Yoriichi had already come into contact with Tsugikuni Iwashiro once more.
All he could say was that fate was unpredictable.
Even with an anomaly like himself appearing, he still had not changed the reunion of the Tsugikuni brothers.
"Indeed. Other than your clothes, everything is just as Yoriichi described."
After confirming the other party's identity, Tsugikuni Iwashiro also gave up on attacking.
"I am Yoriichi's biological elder brother, Tsugikuni Iwashiro."
"If you wish, you may call me Senior Uncle."
"Yoriichi asked me to tell you that he has matters to attend to. He will return after some time."
After saying that, Tsugikuni Iwashiro turned around and continued drinking tea.
As expected of biological brothers, Tsugikuni Iwashiro and Tsugikuni Yoriichi were alike in many ways.
Just like now, after relaying Yoriichi's message, he said nothing more.
"Thank you for delivering the message, Senior Uncle. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
After politely offering his thanks, Scribe left the room.
Back in his own room, he lay on the bed and thought about what had happened earlier.
Before you continue